Hunter Council seeks $16.5 million budget turnaround

A Hunter council is considering budget amendments that could reduce a projected $18.3 million operating deficit to a $1.79 million shortfall. This potential $16.5 million turnaround follows a June decision by a regulator to deny the council’s request for a rate rise.

An audit of the operating budget identified savings through reduced employment costs, management of depreciating assets, and lower spending on materials and contracts, alongside increased revenue. The proposed changes aim to achieve these savings without staff redundancies.

Councillor James Hawkins expressed caution regarding the impact of these cuts on daily operations and service delivery. He raised concerns that focusing on spreadsheet line items could negatively affect staff, such as through the management of leave entitlements, and warned against freezing maintenance spending for short-term gains at the expense of long-term sustainability.